How to Adapt to Aging Societies

The societal and economic effects of people living longer must be considered as aging populations grow, and standardization could help ease the burden, reports the International Organization for Standardization . Some experts envision seniors as an opportunity to sustain prosperity, by tapping their knowledge and expertise in many areas — a concept called "social capital." Multi-sectoral policies are needed worldwide to ensure that older citizens can actively participate in the economic, social, cultural, and political aspects of society. Meanwhile, engagement and inclusive design can counter loneliness, financial insecurity, and other aging-associated challenges to cultivating age-friendly accessibility. Standards are critical for facilitating and encouraging innovation, and De Montfort University's Malcolm Fisk says that "universal design criteria must apply . . . and must be more embedded in standards." Work also is underway internationally to engineer innovative solutions for senior populations using standardization. One example is an international workshop agreement for encouraging healthcare service providers to facilitate "a shift in thinking towards person-centered services" offering dignity, accessibility, safety, and ease-of-use as a platform for establishing societies where people can maximize their health and activity.